Chapter 730

“I’m always angry when they start talking about Naomi like she’s an object.”

Cale’s voice sounded colder than usual. There was exhaustion in it too, hidden beneath the long breath that escaped him afterward.

Lydia stayed quiet for a moment before finally stepping closer until she stood right in front of him. Then she slowly opened her arms.

“Come here,” she whispered gently. “Calm down.”

Cale stared at Lydia for a long second before a faint smile finally appeared on his lips.

Without another word, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

He breathed in the familiar scent of her perfume, letting himself sink into the warmth Lydia offered so willingly. And when she occasionally stroked his back in comfort, Cale didn’t stop her.

It felt… unbelievably comforting. For a moment, Cale felt like he was exactly where he belonged. A place he considered his second home, right after his mother’s embrace.

“Come on. Let’s have lunch.”

Cale slowly loosened his embrace.

“I’m hungry,” Lydia added lightly, trying to ease the tension still lingering around him. “And I think you need at least one hour without yelling at people.”

For the first time since the meeting had started, the corner of Cale’s lips lifted faintly. “Are you ordering me around now?”

“A little.”

Cale let out a short sigh, but he didn’t resist when Lydia pulled him toward the private elevator. She asked him to take her to a Japanese restaurant instead of the places he had suggested earlier, and naturally, Cale didn’t object. Whatever Lydia wanted, he would give her.

It didn’t take long before Cale’s car pulled into one of the most well-known Japanese restaurants in the area. They intentionally reserved a more private room this time, unwilling to be disturbed again.

Especially Cale.

Fortunately, the restaurant offered exactly the kind of peace they needed. The beautifully arranged garden outside and the soft sound of water flowing through the pond created a calm, comforting atmosphere. Only after the food had been served and the tension eased slightly did Lydia finally feel ready to ask about the meeting earlier.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to interfere too much with whatever you’re dealing with right now, darling,” Lydia said as she straightened her posture slightly.

That alone was enough for Cale to realize she was about to speak seriously.

“But the longer I try to ignore it, the harder it becomes not to find out.” Lydia looked directly at him. “What exactly are you dealing with? Besides Don Falcon, are those people causing trouble for you too?”

“Yes,” Cale answered without hesitation.

“And all of this is related to Naomi?”

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“Yes.”

Lydia exhaled slowly. “And… are you going to do what they want?”

A brief silence settled between them.

Cale and Lydia held each other’s gaze, both seeming to weigh their next words carefully.

Until finally, Lydia spoke first.

“You’re planning to introduce Naomi in front of those people?”

Cale still said nothing. Part of him was thinking about how much Lydia had actually overheard from the meeting.

“If that’s your decision, then take me with you.” Lydia’s voice became firmer. “I’m not going to let Naomi face all of that alone.” She paused before asking again, “And was that man telling the truth? Are you really Naomi’s guardian?”

“Technically… yes.’

Before Cale could continue, Lydia spoke again first.

“If you’re her guardian, then I’m your wife.” Her eyes softened, but her tone remained steady. “That means I also have the right to protect Naomi. Let’s just pretend we suddenly ended up with a fully grown daughter who still doesn’t understand how cruel the world can be for absolutely no reason.”